Hepatitis and pain meds

[buffellows]

We have a close friend who has ravaged his body with drugs (heroin and oxycontin as far as I know) and alcohol and has chronic hepatitis.   He has trouble with chronic back pain, but as most pain meds are metabolized through the liver, what does one do?  I am a nurse and told him I would look into this.  He is currently on the waiting list for a rehab and is making positive steps.  Thanks for your input!

[theripper9]

im a 43 year old male who was just told the bad news about having hep c 1 ive had 7 reconstructive surgeries in my life so i know about pain.
im on 6 norcos a day and 1000 mg's of depakote for depression im supposed to start inferon and riba whatchamacallit **** tell me do you throw up alot?
thanx for someone who can enlighten me ang GOD bless you all

[mikesimon]

Dave I want to epress my admiration for your strength and perserverence. The fact that you are so reluctant to complain about what I believe is a very tough situation touches my heart and inspires me to celebrate the life I have. Yes, the garden is good. When I tought I was going to die(with good reason)I planted a garden of bulbs hoping I would get to see them bloom. Well they bloomed and they bloomed and they bloomed and now the garden is full of weeds and could use some new bulbs. It seems I have taken for granted what was once my sole barometer of my life. I better get my ass out ther soon and tend to that beautiful garden. So thanks for the ispiration and my garden thanks you too. Good luck and good health. Mike

[TnHepGuy_]

I'm sorry to hear you are still having so much ongoing pain. I hope that continues to resolve itself as time passes.

I hate to say this but - 'revenire' is going to see that you have 26 weeks left and I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to add on an extra 50 or so himself. It seems like interferon is to Scott what spinach is to Popeye.


Great to see you again, Dave.


TnHepGuy

[twotells]

Thanks for the encouragement- it feels good.  It was needed.  At times it really seems long- getting hard to remember what it feels like to feel normal.  The 96 wks is mostly due to the cryo, which can interfere with the HCV therapy.  My dose goes down a quarter each 12 wks.  It's been almost a year since my Rituxan Tx for the cryo, so I'm hoping for the best.

I'm glad this Cryoglobulinemia related peripheral neuropathy is a relatively rare thing.  I can move my toes now, and walk normally.  I can even feel more sensation in my feet, now.  It took me almost a year to get this far, so I hate to complain.  It's not unusual for the pain to be the last thing to go with this kind of nerve damage (neurologist says can take 2yrs).

Been doing some gardening- it feels good to be outside.  Thanks again,  Dave

[mikesimon]

Hey, it has been a while since you've posted. Sorry about the pain you have. 96 weeks! Man that is some kind of journey you're on! How did you arrive at that length of tx? Good luck. Mike

[cindee]

Buffellow Hi and welcome! I had to go on morphine for pain, seems I have some tissue damage, and fibromyalgia...due to 48 wks of tx(treatment)...who knows the fibr. may be from all the stress...not all tx related, but I went through and am still going thru alot of stress...daughter was..and I hope the right word is WAS on crack, I had to take custody of granddaughter(that's not a problem) but has definately been a plus. But daughter has moved to R.I. w/ her ex and I'm under stress that they may try to kiddnap her. I'll stop there, but personal stress goes on and on. But to get back to you ? My "new" hepatologist has no problem w/ me taking morphine...I was very scared that it would interfer w/ me treating relapsed hep c again. But I asked him that 1st and he said "no problem". I hope your friend will go thru rehab w/o any problems. I will be praying for your friend and you as well. Much love, Cindee

fsplink...WOW! Great that you two are going to a wonderful doctor. You get that anemia taken care of and Dr.Reindollar will take gentle care of you both. I didn't know your hubby has it too. I will send up very special prayers for the both of you!!! Talk w/ ya soon, neighbor!!!! LOL Love @ Prayers, Cindee

Honey, Hey girlfriend!!!! TY so much again for the kind words and for all the prayers you have sent up for my "second Mother". I called her today and it  is definately cancer. I am so devastated But she sounds like nothing is wrong! She has a wonderful spirit and she knows her God. She had to have 2 liver bx. yesterday...the first one had blood in it, so they just did a another one. Being as my first "doctor dumb" never ordered a bx for me...she was so kind as to tell me step by step how it was done. She said it was very easy...and has no pain from it, well just a tiny bit sore(her arm and shoulder).

It's very strange...she has a friend right down the hall from her who has hep c....friend's outlook is not very promising. She is more worried about others, than she is about herself. We sent a beautiful blooming flower garden the day after she went into the hospital. I haven't been up to visiting her, I'm afraid I have had an intestional virus, g.daughter had it last wk. and I sure don't won't to make her sick! She says they spent most of the day running scans on her entire body and as soon as they're done w/ test...she is coming home!!!! I hope I feel better by then...I want to see her so badly!!!! But I will make sure I am well before I go.

I may call my GP tomorrow A.M. and he always works me in...to see if I do indeed have a virus. Not sure if he can do anything...but just let it run it's course.

My phone was out of order today...and I didn't know until my friend where I used to work came by. He said he almost "beat the door down" before I heard him...I have been sleeping a lot these days. I let him in...and I laid back down on the sofa. I woke up one time and saw him sitting in one of the recliners, and I just waved to him...then I fell back asleep. He was very worried..when he started to leave he said he turned on the a.c. cuz it was hot in here. He asked if he needed to call husband home from work to stay w/ me? I told him no i'd be okay. He kissed my forehead and left. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends...he comes by at least 2 to 3 X's a wk to check on me! He's so sweet!

He has always been here when I needed anything. I goofed up my check book 2 wks ago...go figure, still got the "phog"...LOL...I didn't want hubby to worry and want to take over my accounting, so I asked my friend to borrow 100.00 to make sure I would be safe. He gave it to me...and then I told him about an outfit I had ordred and he said keep the $$$ and let the outfit be from me!!!! I almost cried! (hubby and I keep separate accounts because of all my doctors and meds. It's easier that way. And to think he would want to take away one of my "freedom's" would make me feel more "sick". LOL He already worries about my driving...and he's mentioned maybe I shouldn't drive anymore for awhile. That would be devastating too. I admit sometimes I hurt so badly that all I can think of is pain, and sometimes it does take over my mind, as my g.daughter has helped me to avoid a few incidents. I can't wait until WE ARE ALL WELL AND VOID OF THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE!!!!!!

Again TY for all the prayers...maybe add a prayer in there about my driving...LOL!!!!!!! I hope this post finds you and hubby going good!!! Talk to ya soon, I love ya girl, Cindee

twotells, Hi I just wanted to say how much I admire you for all you've been through and for all the tx you have left to do! You are one tough man and your posts always mean so much to me. Like alot of ppl on this forum you carry a heavy load, but still find the energy and time to care for all of us on the forum. You are another one of my "shinning stars". I too hope this post finds you feeling well and w/ minimum sx. Many Prayers for you and much Love, Cindee

[PhilaGuy]

Thanks, Guys!

[honey1616]

Yes...Ambien does work wonders and I only need half one on those nights,,,I'm wide awake!  I had a time span for about 3 to 4 weeks that I could not sleep for nothing and yes....Makes it hard to operate during days when you are not feeling good and exhausted on top of it.  The ambien got me through that period and now I'm sleeping on my own again and no problem.  Hope this helps..Good Luck!

[mikesimon]

That's what I take and I have had no problems with it. Good luck and sweet dreams. Mike

[PhilaGuy]

Hey Gang!  Well, another annoying sx has crept up...INSOMNIA!  In general, I've really noticed that sleep, good, deep, restorative sleep, is as important to how I'm feeling as water, eating well, etc.  And now, I can't sleep!  I've been kinda zombie-like for two days.  My nurse said to call right away if I'm having any sx that can be dealt with with medication.  My question is, what do you guys take, those of you with insomnia?  I've taken Ambien some time ago and found it to be a wonder drug - I'm assuming that's what she'll give me.  What do you guys think?

[derail]

the pain threshold for everyone seems to be different, as do the severity of the sx it seems like im not the only type 1 who has experienced extreme pain, something i used to tolerate well .when even your finger nails ache for days you do need to deal with it  hats off to any that can tolerate but with allthe other aggro.ihad to since going off tx due to other comps, and learning of canadian approval for pegysis im cant wait for another dance with the dragon with or without the pain .sinceoff tx in march this year i still have sx so a new dance isnt as scary as the alterative ..
best to all daryl

[gonagetbetr]

I have been here approx a month and have heard of joint pain and stiffness but it seemed like all took Tylenol and that was fine.

What pain does the tx cause that requires morphine etc?

I am all for the tx once my doc and I have a meeting of the minds regarding dosage, and other meds so stabilize the blood but pain that bad really scares me

please enlighten me regarding what the tx does that causes such terrible pain and where do you hurt primarily

thanks

[honey1616]

Twotells,,,,You have been in this for the duration also and I can only imagine how tired you must be of tx.  Between you and Scott,,,we are going to have to hand out diplomas when you both make it to SVR...Hang in there!

Zero1....You are at the right place and sounds like with the pains you have suffered from Hep C...You would be a good candidate for treatment and trying to get rid of this disease.  I'm a genotype 1 also,,that is the most difficult one to beat but people are doing it,,,Everyday in this forum someone that is that type...is beating this disease!  Stay strong, Be Positive and you can do it also.. This forum is great support and welcome!

[twotells]

You're at the right place for your crash course.  I'm genotype 1b which is one of, if not the toughest type to beat.  Others here with tough genotypes have beat it with combo therapy, and I'm working on it.  Don't let your Dr's words deter you- it can be beat.  I wish you the best,  Dave

[zero 1]

Hey my friends. I have hep c, and I dont know very much about it.I do know right much about pain meds, although Im not a dr.I have had hep c a few years and it didnt bother me. Being a construction worker for over 30 years I know about all kinds of pain. Three ruptured disc, ect... Ive taken all kinds of pain pills. Went to pain management  and got on oc. for over a year. My hep c went on a rampage, now I think Im in big trouble. My doc switched me to methodose. I had a serious energy drop, but I really think its a lot eaiser on my whole body, not just my liver.I  could use a crash course on how to stay alive  a while
with this hep thing. I dont know about blood counts ect.. I just had my first biop and ultra sound and doc says I have a type that dont respond  to treatment that well, so I dont know if to take it or not. Id be glad to hear from anyone. ***@****   IDose

[twotells]

Been away from the forum for a bit, looks like I have some catching up to do.

The type of pain meds should match the type of pain.  I've had neuropathic pain (pain from the nerves rather than pain through the nerves, basically).  My chronic pain started within a week of starting Pegasys/Ribavirin and having peripheral neuropathy (cryoglobulinemic vasculitis related) greatly exacerbated.  My neurologist and pain management specialist agreed on 1200mg Neurontin per day and 15mg Oxycodone per day.  This combination works far better than the 40mg of Oxycontin I was on for the first couple of months.  Some people, like myself, can't take NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprophen, vioxx, etc.).  I am also able to do without Tylenol with this combination.  My understanding is that Neurontin and Oxycodone are not hard on the liver like NSAIDS and even Tylenol at higher doses can be.

I finished shot #70 and have 26 more to go and am really tired of this treatment.  The ongoing pain has been the worst part of it all.  I keep telling myself I'm getting better, which I am.  So I thank God for that.  God Bless,  Dave

[LvdByGod]

you know none of us are doctors,liver specialists or addiction councilors...please keep that in mind...we are just people with hep c just giving you our opinions and what little we have heard about these things... but, this whole situation sounds serious and complicated....

i think it's best to talk to a doctor or specialist...and/or psychologist/psychiatrist...

[nolee]

Hydocodone or Lortab is what I used for pain along with Zanax. I have since stopped the Lortab and cut Zanax dose in half to be able to function in my work enviroment Good luck...NM

[foreign boy]

I am an ex drug-addict (IVDU) and stopped in 1981. Knowing that hep doc precribes me morphine without the slightest hesitation. Just asked if that was a problem for me and if I wanted to talk about it. My doc opinion is that precribed at correct dose when needed morphine is not addictive. For him, there is no liver pb with morphine. (BTW, He does not like benzodiazepine at all except oxazepam for the liver).

[audreywald]

As a person in recovery I recommend most strongly that a person have some recovery before he is treated for Hep C. The relapse rate is high on tx - you need to have a real hold on recovery as the meds can affect your thinking and there may be a real need for narcotics and other mood altering medications.

I am not sure if you were thinking of this aspect but it for sure bears thinking about.

[derail]

i used a patch for pain relief when it got too crazy for me it is called duragesic , available in 25, 50  and 100 mg it is a narcotic but i found it was effective for me .of course everyone is different im 6ft 2 195 lbs or so;at worst moments up to 200 mg time Over 2 days is allowed but like others have stated lots of water is necesary ;your best friend is the loo

[Sunag]

Hi Again:

Is there a topical cream for pain releif, to apply on the skin after taking Peg-Interferon?
Oral pain medications either tylenol, ibuprufen or even narcotics seem to have adverse effect on people suffering with HepC and Cirrhosis.

-Sunag

[donAlfonso]

Unlike alcohol, narcotics are not particularly toxic to the liver.  Most health problems developed by addicts are attributable to their neglect of body needs, ie food, sanitation, cold/heat etc., or from the use of contaminated needles leading to HBV, HCV, HIV.  However, in your friend's case, given his history of alcohol/narcotic abuse, he might benefit from a visit to a pain-management specialist or clinic for an evaluation and treatment recommendation.

dA

[cuteus]

during my pain med research, I looked into the Nursing drug handbook, and found that oxycontin is Kidney primarily as is choline salicylate. others here use morphine for pain management.
I hope he does well with his rehab.